The Board of Directors of the Community Action Lehigh Valley added Juneteenth to the holidays recognized by the organization at its meeting Dec. 9. The prominent nonprofit, founded in 1965, led the way, adopting the measure just hours before Lehigh County’s Board of Commissioners took the same bold step.

On June 19, 1865, union troops landed in Galveston, Texas, to inform Texans that slaves had been emancipated two and a half years earlier when President Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation. There are conflicting stories about why Texas was so far behind. Nevertheless, it’s action finally ended slavery in the United States of America.

“To this day, we have countless examples of how this most oppressive period of American history continues to haunt this country, especially its African-Americans,” said Dawn Godshall, deputy executive director for operations at CACLV. “Systemic racism and implicit bias are real and this organization has distinguished itself for fighting the implications on a daily basis. As an African-American, I am proud to be a part of an organization that recognizes the day slavery ended.”

As it does with other holidays recognized by the agency, it will close for the day.